Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP) announced that Terri Thao has joined the organization as Program Director, Local Initiatives and Opportunities. In this position, Terri will lead MACP’s local giving efforts, support other targeted grant portfolios, and work across domains with several long-term MACP grantee partners. She will also serve on the Program Leadership Team.
Terri (she, her, hers) comes to MACP with more than fifteen years of experience in community organizing and community-engaged grantmaking. As a founding staff member of Nexus Community Partners, Terri developed and managed several programs including the East Side Housing Initiative, Center for Working Families, and Communities Connected through Technology programs. Most recently, Terri led the adaptation of the Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute (BCLI), which has graduated more than 100 community leaders, many of whom serve as public policy professionals and elected or appointed officials in Minnesota. In addition, Terri serves as a member of the Minnesota Housing board and as Board Chair of the F.R. Bigelow Foundation.
“Terri’s experience working in and with community organizations, combined with her knowledge of Twin Cities’ nonprofits, make her a valuable addition to our team,” said Elizabeth Sullivan, Managing Program Director at MACP. “The team will benefit greatly from her deep understanding of the development and implementation of community-engaged work.”
Terri holds a master’s degree in public policy from the Hubert Humphrey School of Public Affairs and a bachelor’s degree in both international relations and Russian from the University of Minnesota.
